WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The smell of freshly grilled hotdogs and hamburgers wafted across Dodger field and the sound of aluminum baseball bats solidly connecting with their spherical targets echoed throughout the Kittyhawk Center as the 10th Annual Sports Challenge began on August 5, 2017 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
The competition, sponsored by the Air Force Sergeants Association Kittyhawk Chapter 751, featured an active duty team competing against a reserve team made up of Airmen from the 445th Airlift Wing.
AFSA sponsors many events throughout the year, but none kick up as much dirt as the annual challenge.
“The purpose of these events are to bring the active duty and reserve component together at least once a year to share in the comradery of the total force,” said Chief Master Sgt. (retired) Rueben Garcia, AFSA senior advisor and communications director. “They’ve been popular with folks that have come out, and we hope it continues the tradition and we get more participation from our members and others who are interested.”
AFSA hopes that events like these will not only drum up more support for the organization, but they also fervently believe that these events bring out the best in our Airmen.
“Our members come from all backgrounds, and we have a growing membership from all around the base,” said Garcia. “It doesn’t matter what rank you are, everyone has equal representation and opportunity to lead. Here, we don’t define leadership by how many stripes you have on your shoulder as long as you are willing to step up and make a difference.”
The members of the association sure know how to make a good pitch. While the teams played a gripping game out on the field, fans could make a short stop at the snack stand where hot dogs, burgers and beverages were served, free of charge, by volunteers from AFSA. One volunteer, wearing an ironic hat with the slogan ‘dysfunctional veteran’, served those in attendance with a smile and an aura of positivity.
“We have so many great events,” said Chief Master Sgt. (retired) Charles Worm, a field operations specialist with AFSA and volunteer server at the sports challenge. “I enjoy spending time with our Air Force men and women and the other members of AFSA feel the same way. I try to make sure events are planned and filled. That’s my main thing.”
With committed volunteers and a wide variety of functions to attend, the AFSA prides itself on its dedication to building cohesion within the total force while advocating for service-members rights, and you can be assured that their events will be a big hit with all involved.
“I love events like this,” said Master Sgt. Keric Johnson, a crew chief with the 445th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and member of the reserve team. “I get to meet new people and have a great time. Why not come out? There is free food and drinks, good people and great fun. I wish more Airmen had the opportunity to come out and share the good times.”
While the reserve component team did not achieve victory on the field, the smiles seen all around tell a story of a game that was less about winning a trophy and more about winning friends. No matter what events the AFSA sponsors in the future, our Airmen in attendance can be assured that they will never ‘strike out.’